I’m a home mechanic and generally only work on my own bikes and I’m looking to get a new workstand. I currently have a feedback sports sprint stand for the majority of work and a cheap Aldi one for quick jobs, or when I need to have the front wheel in the bike.
I’ve narrowed my choice down to a feedback sports pro mechanic stand, which I was set to pull the trigger on and then found 2nd hand Park Tool PRS 3.2 for less money, but with a tired/worn clamp. I can get a new 100-3d clamp and it brings the Park stand to slightly more (£25-£30) than the Feedback one. Having used the park stand in a shop I worked in 20 years ago I do like the stability it offers and the fact it will hold a bike at any angle.
Is the park stand good in confined spaces, I’m thinking it’s better than a portable stand as there are no legs to trip over. On the other hand, the park stand is going to be more difficult to move with the heavy base plate.
What are people’s thoughts and experiences with the two stands.
No experience with the Feedback Sports stand but I have recently moved from the portable Park Tool 10.3 to a new Park Tool PRS-3.3 and I love the new stand. I did initially miss the flexibility of the portable stand but I’ve now positioned the 3.3 in a place, I also have limited space btw, where I can easily move clamped bikes to all angles and positions I need for access. I sometime need to move the bike from clamping with drive side facing me to drive side away from me but that takes seconds and the clamp on the 3.3 is a joy to use.
One of the reasons I changed stands was after working on a rim brake Specialized Venge Vias, which was a nightmare and required me to be constantly angling and rotating the bike.
Moving the 3.3 stand and base is not too difficult but vs the 10.3, where I could easily move bike + stand , it is more difficult……but I’d take that for the significant improvement in stability the 3.3 stand + base creates.
I had a Feedback Pro Stand and had an opportunity to get a used Park 3.2 where I had to refurbish the clamp and prefer it night and day to the lighter Feedback Pro Stand. Like you I have been using Park shop stands as a mechanic in shops and they make working on bikes much more enjoyable.
Thanks for the feedback everyone. I’ve gone with the park stand. I got it for £150 and need to go and collect it. I didn’t think I could pass on it at that price. If I need a new head/clamp it takes to just over £300.
I didn’t know there was a feedback sports discount available. I really like there stuff, so I will always check in future.
